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L 177 
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1827 
Copy 1 






OF tHE 



"VlSlTlXG SC¥L001i-C0J^l3SllTTET^ 



OP 



CONCORD, 



Appointed by the town to visit tije schools in the 
several districts, 

PRESENTED AND READ IN TOWN-MEETING> 
March 14, 1827, 



AND 



©fdered by the Town to be printed and distributed under the direction Gi 
the Visiting Committee. 



PRINTED BY GEORGE HOUGH, 
CONCORD : 

1827, 



L 



ni 



state of Xe^sr-llam^slme. 

Merrimack— ^5.— Concord, March 14, 1827. 

At a legal Tozon^Meeting, duly notified and holden in said 
Concord, on said day — 

Voted, That the Report, made by the Visiting School-Corn-- 
mitlee, be printed and distributed, under the direction of said 
Comriiittec, 

Voted, That the Visiting SchoolCommittte be requested to 
prepare a small Book, for the Government and Examination 
of Schools, as suggested in the Report of the Committee for the 
last year, a copy of which to be furnished for each District. 

d true copy of record — 
Attest-— 

FRA.YCIS .Y. FISF, Town-Ckrk. 



Ot ?a-Tn^HUA3 



REPORT. 

The su])jcct of early Education is confcsscdl}' conneqled 
with the highest advantages, and the dearest rights of man- 
kind. It engages the atteniion of all "wlio are ^vise and 
good. Tlie best means for iLs promotion are sought, and 
wealth liberally contributed, to widen and deepen its 
channels. 

Impressed vvilh these facts, and the <},uVy which they 
owe to their co'istituents, the Committee, appointed to in- 
spect the Schools of this town, have carefully considered 
what course they could adopt, and what measures they could 
recommend, for their further imjn'ovcment. The result of 
their deliberations has led to the conviction, that the sys- 
tem, which their predecessors had adopted, may be further 
improved, by a greater particularity in the annual visita- 
tions and reports of the Schools. Acting up'on this system, 
they have carefully noted the recitations of every class, 
and delivered, at the clo-:e of each examination, an ad- 
dress, exhibiting their opinion of the improvement and 
ciiaracter of the School, accompanied \vilh such advice as 
tjiey thought necessary. The results, they believe, have 
already been beneficial. The Committee, also bcllevinoj, 
that a pctrikular report of each School would produce very 
useful effects, have adopted a course, which, though it 
appear to some too minute and prolix, they ai-e confident 
needs only to be adopted for two or tliree years, to ensure 
the approbation of the communitv. 

Only adding, that while they describ-e the state of each 
School, it is not their intention to mar the feelings of any, 
whether parents, teachers, or scholars, L'Ut to ii.diicc such 
measures and excite sueh ambition as shall promote the in- 
terests of learning, they would rcspe cifuliy submit the foK 
lawin^ Reports 



^'\'ote, — The report of each School, has respect to the 
-second visitation, in every instance where it is not olherwisa 
named. 

DISTRICT No, 1. 

On the 7th of Februarj, the Committee visited School 
No. 1, kept ten weeks by Mr. Cyrus Chadwick : thirtyr 
four scholars were present: the whole number that had 
attended was seventy. The order ot this school, (a sub- 
ject which is considered of great importance) though not 
so good as they desired to see, was mainly commendable, 
The reading was generally of a middh'ng quality, and there 
were a few instances of very good reading. In spelHngj 
they appeared to advantage, but were not exercised in hard 
words. Those who studied Grammar, appeared to have 
committed well, but were not ready in parsing. Six had 
studied Geography, but had made little progress. Some 
improvement had been made in writing, although the quan- 
tity written was very small, and the books betrayed some, 
carelessness. TvvO recited well in Rhetorick, but it was 
thought their time would have been more profitably em- 
ployed upon Grammar and Geography. Seven had done 
well in Arithinctick. The moral state of the school was. 
favourably reported by the Master. 

DISTRICT No. 2. 
On the 1 3th of December, the Committee visited School 
No. 2, kept by Mr. Amos Whittemore, a few days after its. 
commencement : twenty-seven scholars were present, seven 
of whom read in the Spelling Book, five in the New Testa- 
ment, six in the English Reader, and seven in Morse's 
Geography: four were attending to Arithmctick, and two 
recited in Grammar. No writing was exhibited; and they 
were informed, that instruction in that branch had not then 
been attended to. A deficiency in government, and a want 
of subordination, were apparent. As the school closed 
sooner than was anticipated, and as notice of its termina- 
Jtion was not given to the Comaiittccj they were preclude^ 



from making a second visit, and conspquently arc unable 
to report as to its improvement and character during itji 
pontinuance. 

DISTRICT No. .5. 

On the 20th of February, School No. 3, kept twelve 
weeks bj Mr. John Jai vis, was examined : forty-four schol- 
ars were present: whole number, sixty. In visiting this 
school, the Committee had the satisfaction to perceive a 
good degree of improvement. The order was good ; the 
attendance, general deportment, and morals, well reported 
Ly the Instructer. Some good specimens of reading were 
heard; but in gencrrd, ihey did not excel in this exercise. 
They were audible and distinct, but niilcd in good pronun- 
ciation. In spelling, they did well ; and it is to the credit 
of the Master that lie had gratuitously instructed them in 
this branch two evenings in a v>eck. In Grammar, twenty- 
seven made good improvement ; as also twenty-four in 
Geograph}^, and six in History : twenty-three had improv- 
ed w^ell in Arithmetick : and the writing, though not greatbj 
improved, was of a good quality, and \€vy neat. The Master 
awarded a prize-book to the scholar that had made the 
greatest improvement in writing,as determined by the Com- 
mittee. 

DISTRICT No. 4. 

On the 20th of Februarj^ School No. 4, kept twelve 
weeks hj Mr. Nathan K. Abbot, was examined : twenty- 
two scholars were present: whole num.bcr, thirty-seven. 
The order of this school was very good ; the attendance 
and morals very commendable. There v;as handsome 
reading and fine spelling, after being tried in vaj'ious places. 
In Grammar, Geography, and History, they had also 
made haiidsome progress ; as also a class in i'Mlosophy. 
Eleven had attended to Arithnietick : and the w:-iting ex- 
hibited good improvement, with the cxccj-tioii of much in- 
fttteution to correct spelling. 



DISTRICT No. 5. 

On the 30lh of December, the Committee made theb 
first visit to School No. 5, kept by Mr. Ezra Ballard : tweft* 
tj-seven scholars were present. The order was pretty 
good : ten read in the Spelling Book, two in the New Tes- 
tament, and fifteen in the English Reader. A few read 
well, but in general there was a w^ant of spirit and emphasis, 
and a regard to correct pronunciation. The spelling in 
general was quite good : ten were in Grammar — six begin- 
iicrs, and the others, though they could parse some, were 
put too forward : live were in Geography, and three in 
Arithmetick. Not being notified of its termination, the 
Committee cannot state the improvement and character of 
the school during the tcrin. 

DISTRICT No. 6. 

On the 5th of December, School No. 6, kept by Mr. 
Henry E. Rogers, was examined the first time, and ap- 
peared to have made a good beginning: but not being no- 
tified when the school v^ould close, the Committee can 
make no report concerning iis improvement and character 
during the term. 

DISTRICT No. 7. 

On the 25th of January, School No. T, kept nine weeks 
b}' Miss Anna Cheever, was examined: yH'esent, twenty- 
six scholars : whole number, thirty-six. This school la- 
l)0ured under great disadvantages, from the inconvenience 
and coldness of the house; yet it was believed that some- 
progress had been made in reading and spelling. They 
read freely, and with a good tone of voice: sixteen had 
i^tudied Grammar, and a number could parse well in prose 
and poetry: in Geography, it was regretted to find but one. 
^^cholar : in History, two: fourteen hnd attended to Arith- 
metick, and appeared tolerably well; but it was a subject 
of regret, that in so small a school, seven difierent Arilh- 
mcticks should be used. The writing, though performed 
under disaflvantages, was somewhat improvt^d,. MoxaI% 



in g?.neral, well reported ; but it was painful to hear^thr^t 
several instances of the degrading habit of profanity had 
been knoAvn to the Instructress. 

DISTRICT No. 8. 

January 29th, the Committee examined School No. 8, 
kept eight weeks by Miss Mary-Ann Sherburne : eleven 
scholars only were present: whole number, forty. The 
scholars present, with the exception of two, were ver/ 
young. The house was cold and inconvenient, and many 
of the scholars had been inconstant and tardy in attend- 
ance. Yet, notwithstanding these disadvantages, consid- 
erable had been done by those who were examined; and 
what they had learned, appeared to be well learned. 
DISTRICT No. 9. 

January 26th, the Committee examined School No, 9, 
kept nine weeks by Mr. Ira Howell : thirty-nine scholars 
were present: whole number, tlfty-five. The order of this 
school was good, with a small exception among the younger 
classes, toward the close of the examination. The reading 
was in general good, and several fine specimens were 
heard. In spelling, reciting, and applying the Key, 8z.c» 
they were correct and prompt. Twenty-two recited well 
in Geography ; seventeen appeared handsomely in Gram- 
mar, and one in History. Sixteen had done well in Arith-* 
metick. The writing was neat, and generally improved. 
Morals were well reported. Sabbath lessons had been 
committed : and the improvement, for the term, considered 
Ycry respectable. 

DISTRICT No. 10. 

March 8th, the Committee examined School No. 10, 
kept by Mr. Joseph Robinson : fifty-six scholars were 
present: the whole number, one hundred and seven. The 
order of this school was good* The reading was audible, 
and in general good ; a considerable number read hand- 
somely. The spelling was more from the Dictionary than 
the Spelling Book, a practice which the Committee think 



is not the best. For this study, the Instructer had kincliy 
given them a number of evenings for several weeks, by 
which they had made the greater improvement. The Key 
and De/inition had also received attention. There were 
four classes in Grammar, which, with the exception of a 
few beginners, recited and parsed very v;ell. Three class- 
es recited in Geography, a part of them very well. Thirty- 
two recited Arithmetical rules very well, and had gone over 
considerable eround. There was one instance of uncom- 
mon forwardness for the age, particularly in Arithmetick. 
The writing showed a gOod tlegree of improvement and 
neatness. The morals of the scholars not so good as de- 
sired. One had been expelled, and several were known 
to be profane. Attendance had been inconstant and tardy; 
but considering the changeable character of the school, a 
good degree of improvement had been made. 

DISTRICT No. 11— FEMALE, 

February IGth, the Committee examined School No. 1 1, 
kept fourteen weeks by Mrs. Martin : twenty-seven scholars 
w^ere present: whole number, thirty-five. This school, 
though composed of the younger children of the district, 

appeared in excellent order but a single whisper was 

heard during the visit. The regularity of the classes, and 
the propriety of their manners, were very pleasing to the 
Committee, and showed that their Instructress had been 
very assiduous and successful. They read handsomely, 
for their ages, and with a good tone of voice. In spelling, 
they did themselves credit. Eight had attended to Geogra- 
phy, and two to writing, who showed good improvement. 
There was a class in Grammar, and another in Geography, 
both which had made good proficiency : and were it not 
that a few instances of falsehood had been detected among 
these children of tender age, the Committee might close 
this Report with entire approbation. 



DISTRICT No. ll^-MALE. 

jPebruary 16th, the Committee examined School No. 11, 
kept fourteen weeks by Mr. Daniel Pillsbury : thirty-seven 
scholars were present: whole number, forty. The appear- 
ance of this school, on the Committee's entering, was pleas- 
ant and still; but it was soon apparent, that they were not 
accustomed to strict order and diligence. It however ap- 
peared, after finishing the examinations, that a tolerable 
degree of improvement had been made in several studies. 
They read well ; and the spelling in general was pretty 
good. Thirteen appeared pretty well in Grammar. In 
Gfography, they had suflVTcd much disadvantp.ge from hav- 
ing a variety of books, and the want of classification. In 
Arithmetick, the school appeared to be doing well. The 
writing was generally improved, but wanted neatness and 
in some instances correctness of spelling. Of their moral 
habits, though many might b. commended, the Committee 
cannot speak with entire approbation. 

DISTRICT No. 12. 

February 13th, the Committee visited School No. 12, 
kept twelve weeks by Mr. Clement Long: twenty scholars 
were present: whole number, forty-four. The order of 
this school was tolerably good. The chief exception was 
a general use of lips in study. The reading, though not of 
an elevated character, (the older scholars being mostly ab- 
sent) was generally correct; the chief fault was an uncom- 
tnon lowness of voice, probably owing to the example of 
their Instructer. In spelling, they appeared well. Six re- 
cited in Grammar, and three parsed very handsomely. S;x 
recited in Geography, three of whom were very correct in 
Ancient as well as Modern Geography-as also m History. 
Four had attended to A.ithmcticl: well. E#t had wr.ttcm, 
nnd made very good improvement. A few had distinguish- 



10 

ed themselves for scholarsTiip ; but arnbition and spirit were' 
generally ^.'anting. Their morals were reported to be very 
commendable. Improvement apparent, but not great. 

DISTRICT No. 13. 

March 6th, the Committee examined School No. 13, kept 
thirteen weeks by Mr. Simeon B. Foster : fifiy-tvvo scholars 
were present : whole number, sixty. The order of this 
school was pretty good ; the moral state well reported; 
and the drgree of improvement commendable. The lowe? 
classes read well ; the upper classes read too fast, skipped 
some words, and were not sufficiently attentive to pauses. 
In Whelpley's History, four appeared very well. Tvventj^-- 
one recited in Geography — seven quite well, and several 
very well: fourteen in Grammar, recited and parsed very 
v/ell, and eight indifferently Vv'cll. In spelling, they did welL 
The writing was generally neat, and showed some improve- 
ment. There vcas one instance of correct scholarship, in 
all the branches to which she attended, 

DISTRICT No. U. 

February 6th, School No. 1 4, kept ten weeks by Mr^ 
William H. Foster, was examined: forty-three scholars 
were present: whole number, fifty-six. The order was 
pretty good, and mrrals well reported; but the degree ot' 
improvement was quite limited. The reading was not so 
good as the ages of the scholars would lead us to expect. 
In spelling, the school appeared pretty well, with the ex- 
ception of bad pronunciation. There were three classes in 
Granmoar, the most of whom had committed well, but were 
quite deficient in parsing : and the Committee regret to say^ 
that they had laboured under much disadvantage in this 
study. Eight had made good proficiency in Geography. 
The writing was pretty well improved, with the exception 
of much incorrect spelling in the books. In Arithmetick, 



11 

^he rules were pretty well committedj although four differ- 
ent books were used. 

DISTRICT No. 15. 
February 13th, the Committee examined School No. 15, 
kept ten weeks by Miss Ann iVouUon : twenty-two scholars 
were present: whole number, tliirty. The reading of this 
school was heard in five classes, and thought to be good ior 
4,heir ages. Some read very well, excepting a few iajtancts 
of incorrect pronunciation and emphasis. The whole school 
S'peiled well, in Grammar, they had committed well, and 
two parsed handsomely. Six were in Aritlimetick, and had 
done very well. Nine had written, and made good improve- 
ment. The order of the school was very good, and the 
moral state reported to be very commendable. 

DISTRICT No, J 6. 

March 9th, the Committee visited School No. IG, kept 
by Mr. Ira Rowell, six weeks ; twenty-one scholars were 
present; whole number, twenty-three: but only about one 
half of them belong in the district. This school having but 
a few weeks instruction, was visited but once. 1 he order 
was good ; and although it would not compare with some 
other schools, it had made comaiendabie iinprovcinent. — 
The reading was rather indifTerent, in geiieral ; but a few 
read well. In spelling, they had had some additional ad- 
vantages from evenings gratuitously appropriated by the 
Master, and they spelled tolerably well. There were three 
small dasses in Grarnaiar. Ten had attended to Ai'ith.ne- 
tick, and done [)retty well. The writing, though small in 
cjuantity, showed improvement. Sabbith lesso'is had been 
committed: bo)ks pretty well supplied : and tiieir n. orals 
favourably re|}orted. 

DISTRICT No. 17. 

January 25th, the Committee visited School No, 17, kept 
by Mr. John Mills, eight weeks. Improveaicnt in this 



12 

school (aboiU half of which belonged to Hopkinton) was 
apparent, but not great. The ordfr was quite imperfect; 
the moral state favourably reported. The reading and 
spelling were tolerably good, and tomewhat improved. In 
Grammar, there were five that parsed, and four others who 
were beginners. Four recited in Geography, who v/ere 
but little advanced. Three appeared well in History. 
Thirteen had attended to Arithmetick, and improved ; but 
it was much regretted, that several of the older scholars 
recurred to their books while under examination. Specie 
jnens of writing showed good improvement; but their 
books were not presented. 

DISTRICT No. 18. 

February 6lh, School No. 18, kept by Mr. Albert Bakery 
ten weelis, was examined : sixteen scholars were present : 
whole number, thirty-two. The order of the few who 
were present, was good. The reading, in general, was of 
a middling quality: one class read pretty well in poetry: 
some read too fjst, and a part were indistinct. Spelling 
appeared to be well understood: abbreviations, numerical 
letters, pauses, &c. had been learned. In Grammar, four 
parsed very well. In Geography, six recited well. There 
were six in Arithmetick, who had committed the rules and 
tables well. Writing showed some improvement ; but there 
was a want of neatness and correct spelling in several 
books. Morals and subordination were well reported, and 
the general improvement considered pretty good. 

DISTRICT No. 19. 

February 22d, the Committee examined School No. 1 9, 
kept twelve weeks by Mr. James Moulton : present, thirty- 
six scholars : whole number, fifty-five. The order of this 
school was very good, exhibiting entire subordination, and 
application to hooks. Eight read well in the Spelling 
Book, and six in the New Testament. In the English 



13 

Reader, there were two classes of eleven each, one of 
which read well, and the other very well. The spelling 
of the whole school was very good. The key, definition, 
&;c. had been studied. There were thirteen in Grammar, 
who appeared well, and several parsed handsomely. Three 
in Geography appeared well. There were thirty-eight 
ivriters, who had made very handsome improvement ; and 
a few of the finest specimens of writing were presented, 
which the Committee have seen. There were a number 
of instances in this school, of proficiency and correct 
scholarship. 

I DISTRICT No. 20. 

December 12th, the Committee made their first visit to 
School No. 20, kept by Mr. Foster: present, fifty-eight 
scholars. The several branches usually taught, were at- 
tended to, and the order, in general, good. The Commit- 
tee had appointed a time to make their second examination ; 
but before it arrived, the school had closed, and precluded 
their attendance. 

Upon the subject of writing generally, the Committee 
observe, that at their first visitation, they recommended 
that each school should write three afternoons in the week, 
only, making it the principal business ; and that where this 
advice has been attended to, the greatest improvement has 
been visible. 

In making their Report to the Town, the Committee are 
sensible that the severity of the winter and badness of trav- 
elling have prevented that constancy and punctuality of 
attendance which would otherwise have been observed. In 
reporting each school, they have had respect to these ; and 
upon a survey of the whole, although some districts have 
not been so successful in the choice of their Teachers as 
might be desired, it is believed a commendable degree of 
improvement has been made. Regarding the welfare of 



14 

the youth, and considering It within the duty prescrihed, 
the Conimitlee oflcr a few remarks and suggestions which 
may be useful hereafter. 

1. RESFECTING SCHOOL-HOUSES. 

Several of our School-Ho\ises, they have found in a very 
poor state of repair, too small, inconvenient, and warmed 
only with a larpje are place, iiencea part of the scholars 
have suffered from the heat of the lire, and oUicismore so 
from the cold ; anti the want of sufiicient room and con- 
venience have prevented that good onlcr and progress 
•which might have been witnessed. — The Committee there* 
fore take the liberty to suggest the importance of having 
every School-House furnished with a cast-iron stove ; that 
the driest wood be used instead of green ; and that when a 
new School-House is built, it should be of larger dimen- 
sions, upon an improved plan, to accommodate the scholars, 
and aiTord a cojwenient space for recitations. They are 
convinced, that in some instances, at least two hours of the 
day have been lost for the want of means to warm the 
house, although they have seen, at one time, a quantity of 
wood upon the lire sufficient to have lasted two days, if it 
had been dry, and used in a stove. 

2. THE EMPLOYMENT OF MASTERS. 

The examination of Instructers is considered a subject 
of much importance. They therefore recommend, that no 
Master be employed without being examined or approved 
under the authority of the Town, and that each receive a 
certificate from the Examining Committee before the Dis- 
trict contract with him. 

3. BOOKS, 

While visiting the schools, the Conimittee have perceived 
so great a variety of Books in use, as to render it very dif- 
ficult for Teachers to class their scholars, and for the Visits 



*5 

ing Committee to form that judgment of their proficiency^ 
which they could do if Books were uniform. They there- 
fore recommend, that the Town sanction such Books as 
are here named, and that no others be allowed in the 
schools, until they shall have been proposed by the Com- 
mittee, and approved by the Town, The design of this 
recommendation is not to prevent the introduction of new 
Books at suitable times, but to put a stop to that variety 
which is a source of confusion to scholars and Masters, and 
of needless expense to Parents. For a year to come, it 
may cost a little extra ; but in the end, there will be a con- 
siderable saving. The Books which they recommend to be 
allowed in all publick schools of the Town, are — The 

Scriptures Marshall's Spelling Book, (not because they 

think it the best, but because it is in so general use that it 
would occasion some inconvenience to adopt another in its 

stead at the present time) Murray's English Reader 

Blake's Historical Reader — J. M. Putnam^s English Gram- 
mar — Cummings' minor and Woodbridge's and Morse's 
larger Geographies and Atlases — Blake's Conversations on 
Philosophy — Blair's Abridgment of Rhetorick — Whelplev's 
Compend of History — Hale's History of the United States 
— and Walker's Dictionary, though others may be used. — 
The Committee have as yet been unable to compare the 
different systems of Ariihmetick now in use, sufficiently to 
warrant them in giving a preference to any one as best 
adapted to the present state of our schools. — In this selec- 
tion, it will be perceived that but one new Book has been 
proposed, and others omitted which have contributed to 
the confusion before referred to. 

4. GOVERNMENT, EXAMINATIONS, SlC. 

The Committee recommend, that a small Book be pre- 
pared, containing-— an Abstract from 1 he Laws of the State 
concerning Schools and School-Masters— such Resolves of 
the Town as may be necessary— a list of Studies that shoU 



16 



1 1 .1 u- u 1 021 520 168 5 f 

be prosecuted, and those which may be pruoccuucu- 



-iX V-fUL= 



alogue of School Books which sha'l have been approved 
by the Town — and the manner in which the several Schools 
shall be uniformly examined: together with this Rule con- 
cerning Subordination — viz. That when any scholar is re- 
fractory, and cannot be subjected by mild and reasonable 
correction, he shall be expelled by the Master, and his case 
immediately referred to the District Committee, who shall 
investigate and decide upon the same. 

5i DUTY OF AGENTS. 

The Committee further recommend, that the Agents of 
the several Districts be required to inform the Visiting 
Committee of the commencement of the schools, and to in- 
vite their attendance and examination near the close of 
each school. 

All which is respectfully submitted by the Committee. 

NATHANIEL BOUTON, 
NATHANIEL W. WILLIAMS, 
SAMUEL A. KIMBALL. 

Concord, March 13, 1827. 






/P7 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS^ 

021 520 168 ! 



